Shoe lasting machine



Dec. 31, 1935. R M WLLER 2,025,998

SHOE LASTING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l ii' l J I I nveni or fjlfljifa'l Z91? By @Mmn llomey Dec. 31, 1935.

P. M. MILLER 2,025,998

SHOE LASTING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A v 1 5 u.- av-Xm p. 25

Q 614 T3 if Inventor I ffi M Z1297 I 'QM' Dec. 31, 1935.

P. M. MILLER SHOE LASTING MACHINE Filed Apri'l 12, 1954 5 SheefcsSheet 3 i i. q x w m m 3 Inventor P. M. MILLER Dec. 31, 1935.

SHOE LASTING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Inventor fiM.M ZZZer M f1 tlomey Dec. 31, 1935. I P M ER 2,0253% SHOE LASTING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1934 5 heetS-Sheet 5 A? Z/ Z/ /z/ I I (I Inventor .FMMZZZaJ Patented Dec. 31, 1935 PATENT QFFEQE SHOE LAS TING MACHINE Paul M. Miller, Lancaster, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, of one-half to Ralph Gender Application April 12, 1934, Serial No. 720,318

7 Claims.

This invention has reference to machines of the type employed for cementing shoe uppers, welt, insole and filler together in the assembling of these parts of the shoe.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character above mentioned whereby this cementing operation can be accomplished expeditiously and without requiring a great deal of skill on the part of the operator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character characterized by an economy of parts and efllciency in operation.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character whereby a wire may be employed for forcing the shoe upper and Welt into overlapping engagement with the insole and in contact with the edge of the filler in a more positive and efiicient manner than has heretofore been accomplished with such machines wherein wire is used for this purpose.

The invention together with its numerous objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the machine with the parts in position ready to receive the parts of the shoe for the lasting operation.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the machine.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the manner in which the welt is engaged by clamp devices predeterminedly arranged.

Fi ure 5 is an elevational view of a cam standand.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line G-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through a slide plate and showing the manner of connecting the rods hereinafter more fully referred. to, to said plate.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary View partly in section and partly in elevation showing the. connections between the pulleys and. their operating rods.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a standard and a clevis for association with the standard, the referred to parts being shown separated.

Figure 10. is an enlarged sectional view through opposed clamping devices, the devices being shown engaged with the welt.

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view through a third clamping device, the same being shown engaged with the welt.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fixed jaw I or plate forming part of one of the clamping devices.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which the wire is engaged un-, der the welt of the shoe.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a rod illustrating one form of construction thereof, and

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the wires are threaded through portions of the several clamping devices.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the preferred embodiment of the invention, as therein illustrated, comprises a hollow cast supporting base 5, the upper portion of which provides a table 6. Rising from the table 6 is a standard 1 that at its upper end is suitably formed to accommodate a form. or last 8.

Disposed at opposite sides of the post I are standards 9 pivoted at their lower ends to plates ii! suitably secured to the table 6. Each standard 9 is provided with a vertical series of openings I l and adapted to be engaged with a selected one of the openings H is the shank of a clevis I2.

There is also provided a pair of identical clamping devices I3. There is one of these clamping devices for each post or standard 9 and a clevis I2 serves to connect a clamp device l3 with its standard or post 9. 7

Each clamp device l3 comprises a body member l4 having a beveled or inclined bottom face or surface l5. Suitably and detachably secured to the top face of the body member I4 is a plate or jaw member 5 that is provided with a laterally enlarged head i! projecting beyond the free end of the body l5, and this head I1 has a convex working edge of a curvature corresponding to the curvature of a shoe shank. Further the edge I8 is beveled at its top and bottom surfaces as will be clear from a study of Figure 10 so that said edge may be knifed in between the united portions of the shoe upper and the welt for the purpose of forcing a portion of the shoe upper into overlapping engagement with the insole IQ of the shoe, as is believed to be clear from a study of Figure 10.

Cooperable with the jaw I6 is what may be termed a movable jaw 20, and the same is pivoted at one end to upstanding lugs on the body M as at 2|. At its free end the jaw is provided with a gripping surface 22 adapted to engage the welt of the shoe in a manner also shown in Figure 10. Arranged directly behind and in alinement with the post or standard l' is a third standard 23 that is pivoted at its lower end to an attaching plate 26 suitably secured to the table 6. An arm 25 is adapted to be adjustably and pivotally connected to the upper end of the standard 23 as at 26. On one end of the arm 25 is a third clamp device indicated generally by the reference numeral The clamp device 21 comprises a fixed jaw member 28 and a movable jaw member 29 pivoted at one end to the arm 25 as at 33. The jaw members 28, have coacting clamping surfaces 3i for gripping therebetween the welt tea at the toe of the shoe as clearly shown in Figure 11. The jaw member 29 is normally urged into clamping relation with the jaw 28 through the medium or" a coil spring 32 interposed between a fixed lever 33 secured to and rising from the arm 25, and a second lever or hand grip 35 secured to and rising from the jaw 28.

For moving the jaws 2d of the clamping devices l3 toward and away from their respective fixed jaws or plates i6 there are provided operating rods or links 35 pivotally connected at their upper ends with the aforementioned jaws 29. The rods or links 35 extend downwardly through suitable openings provided in the table 5 and have threaded ends extending through suitable openings in a vertically movable plate 35 mounted within the support 5. At said ends the rods 35 are provided with stop nuts 57 and adjustable spring devices 38, the latter being disposed beneath the plate 35 and acting on the rods 35 to exert a downward pull thereon. Other rods or links 38 are connected in a manner clearly shown in Figure 1 with the standards 9, and these rods or links 38 extend downwardly through suitable openings in the table top 6 and in the plate 33. At their lower ends the rods or links 38 are also equipped with suitable spring devices 38 that act on the rods to normally exert a downward pull with the cars 45 projecting from one side of the casting 5, and as indicated generally at 46. On the front end of the lever 14 is a suitable foot pedal 41. The lever i4 is operatively connected with the aforementioned arm 25 through the medium of an adjustable link 48 one end of which has an adjustable pivotal connection with the lever 44 as at 4%. At its opposite end the link d8 is provided with a pivoted section iBa that has an adjustable pivotal connection with the end of the arm 25 opposite to the clamp 22'! as at 5B. The connecting link 48 operates through a suitably mounted guide 5! as clearly shown in Figure 2.

For causing a slight upward movement of the clamp devices 13 as the same moves inwardly toward last 8 in the operation of the device there is provided for each of the clamping devices l3 what may be termed a cam-standard 52. The standard 52 has a mortise portion 52a, that is slidably accommodated in a mortise groove pro- I vided in a split socket 53 suitably mounted to the table 6 and provided with a screw device 54 for contracting the socket about the standard 52 in a manner to secure the same at the desired vertical adjustment. As clearly shown in Figure l the surface lb of each clamp device 53 rides 5 over the upper surface of its standard 52 in a manner to cause the clamp device to swing upwardly as the clamp device moves inwardly toward the last 8 in a manner hereinafter more fully explained. 10

A thin flexible endless wire 55 is threaded through a suitable opening provided in the forward end of the fixed jaw 28 of clamp device 2?, and through diagonal notches 56 provided in one end edge of the heads ll of jaws [6 as sugl5 gested in Figure 15. The wire 55 also has portions thereof windable on spools or drums 51 provided on the ends of a shaft 58 journalled transversely through the standard 1. A second and similar wire 59 is threaded through notches 20 58a in theends of heads I? opposite to the ends provided with the notches 56; and this wire 59 also has portions thereof trained, or windable over larger drums 66 provided on the ends of a shaft 6! journalled transversely through the 25 standards 7 in a plane above the shaft 58. s

For rotating the drums 6E) there are provided operating rods or links 62. These links 62 at one end are eccentrically connected with the drums 60, and at an opposite end have threaded 30 portions extending through the plate 36 equipped with nuts E3 engaging the under face of the plate 36. Similar rods or links 64 are connected with arms t5 provided on the drums 51, and have threaded ends extending through openings in 35 the plate 35 and equipped with nuts 63 as also" clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Preferably the rods 62, 54 are constructed as shown in Figure 14 wherein it will be seen that the rod consists of a flat plate section 66 to one 40' end of which is secured a wire rod 61 formed at its free end into an eye 68. Secured to the end of the bar 6% opposite to the rod. 67 is a threaded rod or shank 69.

The operation and utility of the device will be 45 clear from the following;

After all desired adjustments have been made the shoe upper 1%, with the welt l9a stitched thereto; and the insole l9 and the filler I90 cemented thereto are arranged on the last 8 in 50 the usual manner and the last then properly positioned on the upper end of the standard 1. With his foot the operator now presses down on the pedal and this, through the medium of the link connection 48 between the lever 44 and the arm 25 causes the arm 25 to move towards the left in Figure 2 and in the general direction of the last 8. With one hand the operator forces the hand grip 34 toward the hand grip 33 to open the clamp device 21 and when the arm 25 has 3 moved forwardly sufficiently to receive between the jaws of the clamping device 21 the toe portion of the last H) the grips 33, 34 are released thus permitting the jaws 28, 2901 the device 21 to grip therebetween the last I9d in a manner (35 clearly shown in Figure 11.

This downward pressure on the pedal 41 also results in a downward pull on the plate 36. This downward movement of the plate 36 causes a downward pull on the rods or links 35, 38, 62 and 64 with the result that the standards 9 are caused to swing inwardly in the general direction of the last 3 causing the clamping devices l3 to move inwardly in a corresponding direction,

while at the same time the jaws 20 of the clamping devices l3 are being moved downwardly into clamping relation to the fixed jaws l6. Obviously as the clamping devices 13 move inwardly the heads I! of the jaws pass under the welt I912 so as to cooperate with the jaws 20 when the jaws are in their final downward position to clamp the welt l9a therebetween as clearly shown in Figure 10.

This downward movement of the plate 36 also causes a downward pull on the rods 52 and 54 as above mentioned resulting in a rotation of the drums 51 and 50 for winding the wires 55, 59 thereon. In this manner the wire 55 is drawn tightly across the toe portion of the shoe while the wire 59 is drawn tightly across the heel portion of the shoe, the wires together with the edges 18 of the heads I! of jaws l6 being forced inwardly between the united portions of the shoe upper i9b and the welt I901, in a manner to cause such portions of the shoe upper and welt to lap the insole I9 and to move into edge abutting relation with the filler l9c. The surfaces of the insole l9 projecting beyond the edges of the filler I90, and the edges of the filler I90 are properly coated with a cement or other adhesive for uniting in an eflicient manner the inturned end of the shoe upper l I and the insole 19 together, and also for uniting the contacting edge portions of the shoe upper I911, the welt I911 and the filler I90. Of course, during this operation pressure is being continuously exerted on the pedal 41 for insuring a tightening of the wires about the shoe and the forcing of the edges l8 of the jaws I5 between the united portions of the shoe upper and the welt.

After the lasting operation has been completed the foot is removed from the pedal 41 so that the lever 44 swings upwardly and the parts returned to their normal position whereupon the last 8 may be removed from the standard I and subsequently the shoe removed from the last.

It will be found that with a machine embodying the features of this invention it will not be necessary to use tacks or the like for securing the united portions of the shoe upper I91) and the welt'lSa in overlapping relation with the insole l9 as is now required in the lasting operation as now performed. The elimination of such tacks or the like will also eliminate the formation of apertures in the last 8 which in time becomes so enlarged as to render the last useless.

It will of course be understood that the jaw or plate members l6 are reversible so that these plates may be used in the lasting of a shoe either for the right or the left foot.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a lasting machine of the character described, a last, oppositely disposed clamp devices for clamping engagement with the welt of a shoe on the last in the proximity of the shank of the shoe and at opposite sides of the latter, a third clamping device for clamping engagement with the welt of the shoe in the region of the toe thereof, a wire threaded through apertures in fixed jaws of each of the clamping devices in a manner to extend around the toe of the shoe, a second wire threaded through fixed jaws of the first named clamping devices in a manner to extend around the heel portion of the shoe, and mechanism common to the clamping devices and wires for simultaneously drawing the clamping devices inwardly toward the last for engagement with the welt of the shoe, and for drawing the wires tight around the aforementioned portions of the shoe for the purpose of drawing the united portions of the shoe upper and welt into overlapping engagement with the insole of the shoe arranged on the last.

2. In a shoe lasting machine, a last supporting member, a pluralityof clamping devicesincluding a clamping device arrangedat each of two sides of the last 'and a third clamping device arranged in alignment with the toe of the last, pivoted supporting means for the clamping devices, means for simultaneously drawing said clamping devices inwardly toward the last supporting member and including wires threadedly engaged with the clamping devices and arranged to extend around the toe and heel portions respectively of the shoe and toward the shank thereof, andmeans for imparting a slight upward movement to opposed clamping devices incidental to the movement of said clamping devices inwardly toward the last supporting member.

3. In a lasting machine of the class described, a last supporting member, a plurality of clam-ping devices including a clamping-device arranged at each of two sides of the last and a third clamping device arranged in alinement with the toe of the last, pivotally mounted supporting standards for, the clamping devices, mechanism for simultaneously drawing said standards inwardly toward the last supporting member, andincluding means for drawing the clamping devices into clamping engagement with the welt of the shoe on the last, opposed wires adapted to be drawn respectively about the toe and heel portions of the shoe on the last, one of said wires being threaded through apertured fixed portions of the clamps, and the other of the wires being threaded through apertured fixed'portions of two opposing clamp devices, revolubly mounted drums on which said wires are windable, and mechanism for revolving said drums simultaneously with a movement of the clamp devices toward the last.

4. In a lasting machine of the class described, the combination as set forth in claim 2, and wherein each of the opposed clamping devices include a body member, a fixed jaw member detachably secured to the body member and provided with a laterally enlarged head having a convex working edge of a curvature corresponding to the curvature of a shoe shank, and a pivoted jaw cooperable with said fixed jaw member.

5. In a lasting machine wherein wires are drawn across the toe and heel portions of a last in the lasting operation, guide means for said wires including clamps arranged at opposite sides of the last and a third clamp arranged in alinement with the toe of the last, supporting means for the clamps whereby the clamps are free to move inwardly toward the last upon the drawing of the wires about the aforementioned portions of the last, and each of said clamping devices including a fixedjaw portion adapted to engage under the welt of the shoe and provided with an apertured part for accommodating a portion of one or more of the wires.

6. In a lasting machine of the character described, means for supporting a last, clamping devices arranged at opposite sides of the last supporting means, a third clamping device arranged in substantial alignment with the toe end of the last supporting means, said clamping devices being movable toward and away from the last supporting means, and each lasting device including a relatively fixed jaw and a pivoted jaw, means for moving said pivoted jaw into cooperative clamping relation with the fixed jaw incidental to a movement of the clamping devices toward the last supporting means, a wire threaded through apertures in fixed jaws of each'of the clamping devices in a manner to extend around the toe of the shoe, a second wire threaded throughfixed jaws of the first named clamping devices in a manner to extend around the heel portion of the shoe, mechanism for drawing said wires tight around the aforementioned portions of the shoe incidental to a movement of the clamping devices toward the last supporting means, and cam means engageable with the first named clamping devices for imparting an upward movement to said first named clamping devices incidental to a movement of the latter toward the last supporting means. 7

7. In a lasting machine of the character described, means for supporting a last, clamping devices arranged at opposite sides of the last supporting means, a third clamping device arranged in substantial alignment with the toe end of the last supporting means, said clamping devices being movable toward and away from the last supporting means, and each lasting device including a relatively fixed jaw and a pivoted jaw, means for moving said pivoted jaw into cooperative clamping relation with the fixed jaw incidental to a movement of the clamping devices toward the last supporting means, a wire threaded through apertures in fixed jaws of each of the clamping devices in a manner to extend around the toe of the shoe, a second wire threaded through fixed jaws of the first named clamping devices in a manner to extend around the heel portion of the shoe, mechanism for drawing said Wires tight around the aforementioned portions of' the shoe incidental to a movement of the clamping devices toward the last supporting means, and cam means engageable with the first named clamping devices for imparting an upward movement to said first named clamping devices incidental to a movement of the latter toward the last supporting means, said cam means 20 

